Lincoln Northside Seventh-day Adventist Church will be holding a benefit concert on Wednesday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. The concert is to raise money to assist with medical costs for three Union students and a recent Union graduate who were in a car crash on September 17. Allen Stafford, Marcus McConaghy, Tegan Smith and alum Anna Woods were taken to the hospital after a car swerved into their lane and struck their minivan head-on. The driver of the other car was killed in the accident.
Northside Pastor Deneil Clarke said, “Our goal is to gather in gratitude to God for His blessings of deliverance, and to give people an opportunity to bless the four young adults with means to offset medical costs that are associated with their recovery. Northside has been privileged to have three of these individuals actively involved in ministry through our church. We want to express our care and support for all four of those who were in the vehicle together, and to pray with one another for their healing.” The concert will include vocal performances by Linda Chavez, Jill Kline and The Interpreters, and a harp performance by Elizabeth Hayes.
Although all four Union family members have been discharged from the hospital, they are all still recovering from the injuries including a variety of bone fractures. Despite all of that, the four are in good spirits and thankful for God’s protection. McConaghy, who has a C7 fracture and is in a neck brace, said “I’m so grateful I can walk and talk. God has a plan. Thank you for your prayers and support.”
Union College is extremely grateful to God that Stafford, McConaghy, Smith and Wood survived the crash. We pray for their healing and peace as they continue to recover. We also pray for the family who lost a loved one in the crash.
By Annika Cambigue, sophomore English and communication major